A top Barcelona midfielder has suffered a major injury blow, with the player expected to be sidelined for a significant period.
As manager Hansi Flick prepared his side for their opening pre-season friendly against CE Europa at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, the sudden absence of key central operators raised alarm bells among the Catalan coaching staff.
With the squad already grappling with long-term squad availability issues, any fresh physical issue represents an immediate crisis for Barcelona’s tactical planning.
Fortunately for Hansi Flick, subsequent medical assessments revealed that the damage is far less catastrophic than initially feared.
The teenage prodigy at the center of the injury concern is 19-year-old defensive pivot Marc Bernal.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the La Masia jewel was completely left out of Barcelona’s 4-1 victory over CE Europa after suffering a muscle overload during high-intensity training sessions.
Given Bernal’s previous history with serious knee injuries, the medical department immediately stepped in to pull the young general out of action, treating the muscular discomfort with extreme caution.
The issue has been classified as a minor muscle overload rather than a structural tear, meaning Bernal avoided a protracted period on the sidelines.
Both the medical team and the player agreed that resting for the local friendly was a necessary measure to prevent a minor tweak from escalating into a debilitating setback ahead of the grueling multi-competition season.
The relief surrounding Bernal’s quick diagnosis is critical for Barcelona’s upcoming campaign.
With Frenkie de Jong expected to be sidelined for a lengthy period, Bernal has been slated to play a starring role in Flick’s double-pivot alongside Pedri.
Cleared of any major structural damage, the La Masia sensation is scheduled to join the squad for their pre-season tour to St. George’s Park in England, where he will continue his buildup as Barcelona’s long-term engine room anchor.
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